Tag Archives: Paramount Group

Paramount Group, the global defence and aerospace company, has unveiled its next generation armoured personnel carrier – the all new Mbombe 4 – that is specially designed for local manufacturing within customer countries, in a move that will boost such countries’ defence capabilities, economic diversification and sustainable growth.

The new 4×4 is the smallest member of Paramount’s Mbombe family, which also comprises 6×6 and 8×8 vehicles which share over 70% of components to reduce through life costs and ensure cost-efficient training and logistics (Paramount photo)

Drawing on the exceptional heritage of the Mbombe 8×8, now in production following its launch in 2016, and the Mbombe 6×6, which has entered service, the Mbombe 4×4 completes the highly advanced Mbombe family of combat vehicles that are designed to optimally meet the increasing demand for outstanding protection, yet versatility in conventional and asymmetric warfare, counter terrorism and peacekeeping missions.

The Mbombe family enables Paramount Group to provide customers with a comprehensive family of 4×4, 6×6 and 8×8 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), which share over 70% of common components to reduce through life costs and ensures efficient training and logistics. This also presents a unique opportunity for the global market, affording a prospective end-user of all three vehicles significant savings in the areas of maintenance and logistical support.

The vehicle is being fully industrialised to allow for manufacture in customer countries using Paramount’s proven portable manufacturing model.

Paramount Group Founder and Executive Chairman, Ivor Ichikowitz stated: «Mbombe 4 was designed and developed specifically for local manufacturing in customer countries in response to specific market requirements. Paramount specializes in the creation of portable manufacturing facilities through technology and skills transfer, resulting in new local capabilities and sustainable jobs, proven to not only benefit local defence industrial capabilities but economic diversification and growth. Importantly, this model allows for common supply chains and ensures the security of supply».

Displaying a striking new design, packed with the latest technologies and capabilities required for the modern battlefield and ever-evolving threats, the Mbombe 4 offers outstanding levels of protection, mobility and flexibility. The Mbombe 4 will be launched on the first day of IDEX 2019, the largest defence expo in the Middle East, held in Abu Dhabi.

One of the defining characteristics of the new Mbombe 4 is the unique, rear-door ramp design, which has been proven in combat on 6×6 and 8×8 IFVs. The ease of access provided by the rear-door ensures the rapid deployment of the crew while the vehicle is static or on the move.

Other key features of the Mbombe 4 include a burst speed of 87 mph/140 km/h, ensuring exceptional levels of mobility, with the vehicle fully operational in winter conditions of -20 Celsius to desert conditions of +55 Celsius. The 16 tonnes Mbombe 4 provides a payload of nearly three tonnes, encapsulating weapon systems, ammunition, crew and supplies.

Ichikowitz added: «There are very few constants to the nature of the asymmetrical warfare that many of our customers across the globe are experiencing. As a result, Paramount is constantly innovating, not only to enhance, but to pioneer the most up-to-date defence technologies in the world. Though each of the Mbombe family of vehicles is equipped for full mission capability and maximum versatility, they share a singular mission – the survival of personnel in the vehicle through the highest levels of protection, mobility and firepower, in order to meet the requirements of armed forces operating in the toughest environments around the globe».

The Mbombe 4 has been designed to accommodate a wide range of payloads and turrets. The onboard mission computer and interface system is able to integrate with both Western and Eastern-made weapon systems. The vehicle is further fitted with the latest generation navigational, crew comfort and security systems, with examples including a driver-assist camera system, winterisation kit, vehicle location and tracking systems, a NATO standard tow-hitch, radios and intercoms systems and a Central Tyre Inflation System (CTIS).

The portable manufacturing of vehicles such as the Mbombe 4 has allowed Paramount Group to manufacture their defense technologies with partners around the world; from Kazakhstan and the dynamic growth of Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering (KPE) to their partnership with Singapore’s ST Engineering and the launch of the Belrex family of vehicles, based on the Marauder, a platform that is also being exhibited at IDEX.

«With the launch of the new Mbombe 4, Paramount is able to offer its customers across the globe one of the most complete land systems ranges in the world. Our customers and partner governments are now able to deploy the most advanced, latest-generation 4×4, 6×6 and 8×8 vehicles with a single common logistics train, highly-competitive acquisition costs and the lowest through-life cycle operating costs. The new Mbombe 4 is designed for ‘Portable Production’ and highlights our commitment to supporting our customers in developing domestic defence industrial capabilities. This product also demonstrates our quest for continuous innovation and pushing the boundaries of vehicle design, crew protection, and interoperability. We are very excited by the Mbombe range of products and firmly believe that there is nothing in the world right now that can compete», Ichikowitz concluded.

Paramount Group, the African-based global defence and aerospace company, unveiled its family of Mbombe Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICVs) at the AAD 2016 expo, taking place at Waterkloof Air Force Base, South Africa.

Paramount Group unveils family of highly advanced Infantry Combat Vehicles at AAD 2016

Showcased together for the first time, the Mbombe vehicle range comprising the Mbombe 4 (or Marauder XT in certain markets), the Mbombe 6 and the Mbombe 8, represent the pinnacle of land system technologies and can be modified to serve as either combat vehicles or armored personnel carriers. The vehicles were developed to meet the increasing demand for multi-role, high mobility and mine hardened platforms, and for the changing demands of the global battlefield. The vehicles are sought after by governments around the world for their sophisticated adaptability, unprecedented protection and affordability.

Unveiled in Africa for the first time, the Mbombe 8 is the newest and ‘big brother’ of the Mbombe family. The major advantage of the Mbombe family is the 80% commonality that exists between the technologies and components used in the three vehicles. This presents significant cost benefits to armed forces due to greater efficiencies and significant savings in maintenance and logistical support.

Ben Jansen, CEO of Paramount Combat Systems said: «The development of Mbombe 8 has enabled Paramount Group to provide potential customers with a complete family of 4×4, 6×6 and 8×8 ICVs which share over 80% of common components to reduce through life costs and make for easier training and logistics. This commonality relates to both the driveline aggregates, as well as the fact that all three vehicles utilise a ‘conventional’ or ‘in-line’ automotive driveline configuration, positioning the powerpack at the front of the vehicle and along its center line. This configuration results in far greater efficiency in terms of the transfer of power from the powerpack to the wheels, as the loss of power associated with a second transfer gearbox necessary for ‘unconventional’ drivelines, such as with side-engined vehicles, is eliminated. This presents a unique opportunity for our global market, affording a prospective end-user of all three vehicles significant savings in the areas of maintenance and logistical support».

Paramount Combat Systems (the newly formed integrated business comprising Paramount Land Systems and Paramount Innovation and Design) has developed and produced a broad range of advanced armored and mine protected vehicles that are in use from South America to Central Asia. Global demand for Paramount Group innovations like the Mbombe has enabled the company to grow significantly in recent years and attract leading global strategic partners. The Mbombe family capitalizes on South Africa’s expertise in asymmetric warfare technologies.

The Mbombe 8 is builds on Paramount’s Mbombe 6 that employs an innovative new form of construction to give unprecedented levels of protection, while keeping profile to a minimum. The 8×8 also draws on the company’s experience of designing the highly effective and battle-tested Marauder and Matador mine-resistant vehicles.

The cooling systems and driveline have been tested and proven in winter conditions of -55 Celsius and desert conditions of +55 Celsius

Large internal volume due to position of powerpack

The Founder and Executive Chairman of Paramount Group, Ivor Ichikowitz said: «This is a momentous occasion not only for Paramount Group, but also for South Africa, which pioneered landmine protected technologies. In six years we have designed, developed and manufactured three high speed, long-range and low profile armored combat vehicles, the Mbombe 4, 6 and 8. Without exception, we’ve earned an international reputation for pushing the boundaries and creating armored vehicles that are groundbreaking in their design, protection levels and mobility. Paramount Group’s success is ultimately the success of African innovation. South Africa has been leading the world in armored vehicle and land mine protected technologies for decades and we’re proud to take this heritage into the future».

Boeing and the Paramount Group, the South Africa-based global defense and aerospace business, have expanded their 2014 agreement to cooperate on an advanced mission system for a variant of the Advanced, High Performance, Reconnaissance, Light Aircraft (AHRLAC).

Boeing and the Paramount Group will collaborate on an integrated mission system for the Mwari aircraft enabling ISR and light strike missions for the variant of Paramount’s advanced high-performance reconnaissance light aircraft (Photo credit: Paramount Group)

A high-wing, two-seat aircraft, AHRLAC is designed to incorporate advanced Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and weapons systems. Boeing will develop an integrated mission system for the aircraft enabling ISR and light strike missions for the AHRLAC safety & security, and military variants. This militarised version will be known as Mwari.

Speaking from the Global Aerospace Summit in Abu Dhabi, Jeffrey Johnson, vice president, Business Development, Boeing Military Aircraft, said, «Through AHRLAC, we’ll not only bring a flexible, persistent and affordable aircraft to the international market, but we’ll also be developing world-class technology in Africa». «Our relationship with Paramount will help us access markets that are new to Boeing», Johnson added.

The Paramount Group is the largest privately owned defense and aerospace business in Africa, providing fully integrated turnkey solutions to global defense, peacekeeping and internal security forces. Since its inception in 1994, Paramount has built strong relationships with governments and government agencies in more than 30 countries around the world. Paramount is a leading innovator in the design and development of state-of-the-art products that it manufactures in locations globally and has partnered with some of the world’s largest and most reputable organizations in the global defense community.

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

OVERALL LAYOUT

Pusher configuration, jet-like characteristics

Unobstructed forward view for sensors

Internal high velocity 20-mm cannon

Flexible belly-mounted multi-mission sensor pod

High wing for good external view and rough field operation

MAXIMUM TAKE-OFF WEIGHT (MTOW)

8,378 lbs/3,800 kg

PAYLOAD WITH FULL FUEL

1,764 lbs/800 kg +

LANDING GEAR

Retractable, optimised for semi- and unprepared sites

Sized for optional extra-large high flotation wheels

COCKPIT

Tandem seat, two crew

Large vertical cockpit separation and high wing for optimum external view